Bank Holiday Weekend

Although Saturday started off relatively mild, strong gusts had been passing over the lake all morning. By the time racing started, the rain had moved in and the gusts were coming down vertically and things didn’t improve much apart from the sun coming out later in the day.

Roy and Kayla were still a little anxious about their new boat, and it was well founded! A blustery first beat ended with a capsize that was enought for them to call it a day.

They weren’t the only ones to go swimming; Phil and Rich Hodgkins did their bit for the chandlery trade in the first race, and then Phil took Dave Lawson out for the second race, only to have another capsize and bend the tiller extensions.

As for the racing, Mark and Emma hung on in there in their Enterprise, securing a first and third overall. Scumper and Zefer sailed well in both races, but mistook A for 9 in the second race and had a valiant effort trying to stop capsizing (because they couldn’t lay 9 with the gennaker up) well after the point of no return! Robbie D and Toggle’s performance regained them the lead for the series overall.

The wind continued through the night, as did the partying, but when racing started the wind was a ‘slightly’ steadier westerly. Roy and Kayla were aiming for three marks before capsizing – and they did it!. Roy had a corker of a first beat to be in second position at the windward mark, but he felt obloged to hold his position by flying the kite – problem was with the gusts coming through he couldn’t lay the mark and then struggled to take down the kite – It’s tough at the top! Their tales of woe continued and they had an extra couple of capsizes along the way, however, they weren’t alone – Neil and Bean, Robbie and Toggle, Steve and Ruth, Scumper and Zefer, Phil and Andy T – all joined them. Both Steve and Robbie had to practice their swimming techniques to get back to their boats. It might have been easier to list that stayed upright – William and Lesley, Dave and Lynn, Val and Ken.

Close racing in the RS400 almost led to a demolition derby at a couple of marks, but fortunately everyone came out unscathed.

Monday started off flat calm, but once racing was under way sailors were treated to a variation of shifts and gusts passing through from time tio time that tended to break up the fleets somewhat. In the afternoon, the gusts (when they came) caught out a couple of GPs along the bottom reach, and they kept the rescue crews going by capsizing.

Apart from a heavy shower at the end of the day, the weather wasn’t too bad for a bank holiday!

Ian Turnbull Rope4Boats will be coming to the Club on Saturday 3rd March 2018 @7pm to to deliver a splicing masterclass. (Session will close at 10pm) This will be a practical session teaching splicing techniques on modern ropes. £5.00 per…